Fluid mixer



Patented Aug. 12, 1941 umrep staresrarest @EFFHCE FLUID MIXER Edwin E. Juterbock, West New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y., assignor to Standard Oil Development @ornpany, a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1939, sesame. 302,184

4 Claims. (01. 2 9-- The present invention relates to an apparatus for accomplishing the admixture of two or more fluids. More specifically, it relates to a mixing chamber in which two liquids, separately introduced, are combined with a minimum of pressure drop in the apparatus.

The invention and its objects may be fully understood from the following description when it is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a form of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View along the line II-II of Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through an alternate form of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View showing another form of the device.

As shown in the drawing, the apparatus is composed of a casing I, having a discharge nozzle Ia, an enlarged portion lb, in which, at an intermediate point, is disposed a partition member 2. The partition 2 is provided with a plurality of perforations 3 and a central opening 4 which is preferably threaded as at la. At the inlet end of the casing, a closure plate 5 is provided for threaded insertion of a supply conduit 5 through which one of the fluids to be mixed may be introduced. A conduit l is provided for the other fluid, entering the casing as at la and extending into threaded engagement at its inner end, with the threaded opening 4 in plate 2. Preferably the conduit should enter and pass through the chamber lc, rearwardly of the plate 2, in such manner as to provide for a minimum of flow disturbance therein. At the outlet end of the casing is a closure plate 8 having an opening 8a fitted with a packing gland 9 and a yoke member iii. A spindle ll extends through the gland 9 into the chamber Id. The spindle is provided for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the chamber lol by threaded engagement with a valve wheel !2 mounted on the yoke iii. At its inner end, the spindle H carries a baffie 53, which, as shown, is mounted for rotational movement on the spindle end. If desired, however, the bafile It may be secured in fixed relation to the spindle Ill. In addition, it may be found desirable to provide for rotation of the spindle H with the baffle fixed thereto, in order to provide positive means for creating turbulence in the chamber id. Preferably, the baffle i3 is of greater diameter than the perforate area of the partition 2, and as shown, may be provided with a solid central portion having a plurality of arcuate vanes Ito peripherally disposed thereon. The vanes Ida may be formed by slotted portions lib cut into the periphery of said b afiie, each portion being of increasing depth as it extends toward the edge of said baflle.

In Fig. 2, the conformation of the baiile surface, the arrangement of the vanes Isa and slotted portions I31), as well as the relationship between the perforated area of the partition 2 and baiile it are more clearly shown.

In Fig. 3, a form of construction is illustrated in which the bafile I3 is provided for rotary movement in the chamber ld. As shown, the plate i3 is secured in fixed relation to the spindle II. The spindle H is driven or rotated by means of a variable speed motor l4 mounted on a movable bed plate 15. The plate in turn carries a rack l6 which is engaged by a pinion ll rotatable by means of the hand wheel it. Other means may be provided for accomplishing the rotation of the spindle while providing for reciprocal movement thereof in the chamber ld.

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternate method of mounting the baflle E3 on the shaft or spindle H. In this form, provision is made for automatically maintaining pressure drop through the partition and over the bafile. The baflle i3 is slidable longitudinally of the shaft, but is normally held in position against the cap member I! la, by means of the spring Hb disposed between the baiile and the stop member He. The stop member He may be thread-ed on the shaft as illustrated in order to provide for adjustment of the spring pressure against the bafile.

In operation, a fluid A is passed through the line 6 into the chamber lo and discharges therefrom through the perforations 3 into the chamber Id. Simultaneously, a fluid B is passed through the line 1 discharging directly into the chamber Id. The baiile l3, as shown in Fig. 1, is adjusted with reference to the partition 2, so as to obtain the optimum conditions of mixing and pressure drop. The two fluids discharging against the baiile are thus caused to move radially over the plate in a plurality of thin layers thereby obtaining a maximum interfacial contact. The vanes ltd at the edge of the bafile, impart a swirling motion to the fluids passing thereover, and also cause the battle to rotate on the spindle end. A controllable turbulence is created in the chamber id effecting a complete mixture of the two fluids supplied thereto. The degree of mixing and the turbulent flow may be controlled within limits by adjustment of the bafile IS with relation to the partition 2. When using a baffle and shaft assembly, as shown in Fig. 4, any normal variations in flow of the respective fluids is compensated by automatic longitudinal movement of the baffle along the shaft. The fluid mixture under the pressure of the fluids A and B are discharged by way of the nozzle la.

Obviously, various changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus disclosed above, without departing from the inventive concept. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention shall be limited by any specific disclosures made for the purpose of illustration, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid mixing apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a partition extending transversely across the casing between the inlet and outlet and havinga localized area of perforations and permitting flow of fluid through the partition from the inlet toward the outlet, a conduit for a second fluid extending into the casing and opening through the area of perforations toward the outlet, a baflle plate, and means for supporting the battle plate in spaced relation to the casing substantially parallel with and on the discharge side of the partition to deflect and commingle the two streams of fluid as they leave the partition.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the inner surface of the casing converges from the partition.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the baffie plate is solid in its central portion and provided with arcuate slots in its periphery, each slot increasing in depth toward the partition.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which means are provided for rotating and moving the baflle plate in reciprocating motion toward and from the partition.

EDWIN E. JUTERBOCK. 

